Preston first came to widespread attention of a U.S. mainstream audience as the organist (and sometimes vocalist) in the house band on the television show 'Shindig,' popular during 1964-66. On tour backing stars Little Richard and Sam Cooke, he met the Beatles (early in their career) in Hamburg, Germany in 1962. He was later invited by George Harrison to join The Beatles in the studio for the filming/recording of 'Let It Be' (1970). Preston's most memorable performance with the Beatles is on the track "Get Back".
The apparent reason for the collaboration was that the project was being done live— without overdubs— and the Beatles wanted a second keyboardist. Preston's soulful style was to compliment the rhythm and blues approach the Beatles had for this album. His was a genre they'd grown up listening to and were reaching back to as well as paying tribute to.
Another apparent reason for Preston's involvement was to buffer the growing tensions between the members of the band (that had started around the time of filming). Everyone set aside their differences to make Preston feel welcome at the sessions. Members of the band have later commented on their joy with working with Preston, whom they respected as a talented musician.
While Preston was never considered for permanent membership in the Beatles (despite stories to the contrary), he did continue working with them through to the end of the 60s: releasing two solo albums on Apple Records (the Beatles' label), collaborating with George Harrison on 'All Things Must Pass', and joining in on the Concert for Bangladesh— one of the first significant benefit concerts of its kind (at Madison Square Garden in 1972). Preston also later made an appearance in the infamous Beatles tribute film 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' (1978), as the title character— Sgt. Pepper. He's sometimes been referred to as a 'Fifth Beatle'.
In addition to work with said group, Preston also played and toured with The Rolling Stones, playing on significant albums such as 'Sticky Fingers' and 'Exile on Main St.' In the 70s, Preston also worked with Bob Dylan, playing as an accompanist on ' Blood on the Tracks', and Aretha Franklin, on her record 'Young, Gifted and Black'. As the years went on, Preston collaborated with numerous other artists including Barbra Streisand and Miles Davis, also notable touring with Sly and the Family Stone for a time. He also played organ with the Ray Charles big band on tour in the late 60s.
In terms of his solo career, Preston's hit tracks "Will It Go 'Round in Circles" and "Nothing From Nothing" both reached all the way to number one in the U.S. and still remain staples of oldies stations. He won a Grammy Award for best pop instrumental performance for "Outa Space" in 1971, and he received an invitation to the White House no less in 1974. Though perhaps overshadowed by his collaborative work, he devolved a strong and devoted fan-base as album after album made it into the Billboard top 200 album chart.
Preston was also the music director and band leader for the Garry Shandling show in the 80s, returning to the TV work that had given him his start. Yet, in the 80s and 90s, Preston sadly suffered substance abuse and financial issues. He spent three years in prison in 1997 for a drugs possession charge handed out earlier that year (cocaine possession and assault).
His last recordings were on the Red Hot Chili Peppers' album 'Stadium Arcadium' and with Neil Diamond for his "12 songs" record, both produced by Rick Rubin.
A U.S. musical legend, Preston passed away at the age of 59 in a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona, as a result of "malignant hypertension that resulted in kidney failure and other complications".
Blackbird
Billy Preston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Black bird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
The meaning behind the lyrics to Billy Preston's song, "Blackbird," is one of hope and perseverance. The blackbird, singing in the dead of night, is a metaphor for the struggles and hardships that one may face in life. The lines, "Take these broken wings and learn to fly," are meant to represent the idea that no matter how broken or damaged one may feel, there is always a chance for redemption and growth. The lyrics go on to say, "All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise," emphasizing the idea that everything that has happened in one's life up until this point has led to this moment of transformation and growth.
The metaphor of the blackbird is also used to represent the African American struggle for freedom and civil rights. The blackbird, though small and seemingly insignificant, has a powerful voice and the ability to transcend boundaries. The lines, "Take these sunken eyes and learn to see," reference the idea that even though one may feel beaten down, there is always the possibility for clarity and vision. The repeated line, "Into the light of the dark black night," can be interpreted as a call to rise above oppression and find freedom in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
The bird is singing at an unusual time, which may signify that something significant is happening.
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
The singer is encouraging the listener to overcome obstacles and learn how to achieve their goals.
All your life
The listener has been waiting for this moment for their entire life.
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
The listener has been anticipating this moment because it represents an opportunity for growth and change.
Black bird singing in the dead of night
The bird's persistence in singing during an unusual time symbolizes the need to be persistent in the face of adversity.
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
The singer is encouraging the listener to gain a new perspective, despite feeling defeated or downcast.
You were only waiting for this moment to be free
The listener has been waiting for this moment so they can break free from whatever is holding them back and achieve their goals.
Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.
The bird's ability to fly into the darkness represents the power of moving forward despite uncertainty or fear.
You were only waiting for this moment to arise, You were only waiting for this moment to arise, You were only waiting for this moment to arise
The repetition of this line emphasizes the importance of this moment and how long the listener has been waiting for it.
Lyrics © Tratore, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Custodian Comics
This could be the greatest version of this song ever.
Sean Drysdale
A great version and a truly great talent
Tommy Williams
Wow. Hadn't heard this in years,truly amazing rendition of this classic Fab 4 song. Also featuring a very young George and Louis Johnson on guitar and bass.
Kevin McGiffin
I'm 57 and didnt realize how many great songs that i had stored in my library. My memory is not gone yet! Didn't forget about you billy!
zibbyzubb
Always loved this version.
Mickey Phillips
Billy did an amazing version of My Sweet Lord in The Concert for George Harrison. Love and miss you, Billy.
Carl A
Had and loved this album. Many moves and some choices made left me no albums and only a few CD's. Grooved to Billy's soulful music many of my 75 years. 2020 and still stompin' with him.
Geoffrey Smith
Very cool and soulful.
Ricky McDonald
blackbyrds
marco cinelli
Thank you for this channel. Long live Billy